MANASSAS, Va., March. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ATCC, a global leader in biological materials management and standards, is partnering with the research, academic, and public health communities to respond to the growing Zika virus crisis.

Since the widespread outbreak was announced by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in early 2016, ATCC has anticipated and responded to the increased demand for Zika, and is releasing additional strains to help researchers better understand the biology and progression of the virus as well as to help develop accurate diagnostics and vaccines.

"ATCC is uniquely qualified to support the Zika virus outbreak," said Dr. Raymond Cypess, ATCC Chairman and CEO. "We've supported research and development for similar virus types – Dengue, Chikungunya and West Nile – and have the world's largest and most diverse bioresource collection. Our high-quality, traceable and authenticated materials are used as reference standards for vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tools developed to confront health threats like Zika."

ATCC is rapidly expanding its collection of Zika virus materials to include tissue culture-adapted strains and supporting products, which can be pre-ordered now and shipped by mid-March. We are also identifying other geographically-diverse strains to add to our product portfolio.

Additional product formats, including synthetic and native nucleic acids, are planned for release in the next few months. More information about these products will be available on the ATCC website shortly.

For information about culture methods, characteristics and custom services, visit the ATCC website or contact the ATCC Technical Services team at tech@atcc.org, or your local distributor.

About ATCCATCC is a leader in biological materials management supporting the government and scientific community with research and development, products, and custom services in support of global health issues. With a history of innovation spanning 90 years, ATCC offers the world's largest and most diverse collection of human and animal cell lines, microorganisms, biological products, and standards. ATCC is a non-profit organization with headquarters in Manassas, Va. For more information about ATCC, visit us at www.atcc.org.